In the 2009-2010 academic year, Chase House officially became the Environmental House. This initiative is co-sponsored by the Dean of Students Office and the Office of the Environmental Coordinator.

The change from a student-initiated theme house to College-sponsored housing is part of Bates' effort to institutionalize sustainability on campus. The idea is to make it a long-term resource for sustainable living and use the house as a pilot for sustainable technologies and products we may want to bring to the campus as a whole. We are hoping that the house will also continue to be a place where students gather for Sunday meals around sustainability issues and model sustainable living.

Students wishing to live in the new Environmental House will be able to sign into it during the Housing Lottery process in mid-March. All students who want to live in the house will be required to sign a contract committing them to abide by sustainability principles (recycling, conservation of energy and water, sustainable transportation, etc.). If you have any questions regarding this new designation, please feel free to email the Housing Office or the Bates College Environmental Coordinator.